A Splash of Links

• Ex-teacher’s lawsuit alleges her firing for ‘Christian beliefs’

• Family of slain police officer sues LA County DA George Gascón

• Long waits and hallway beds, as crowded ERs struggle to meet patient demand

• An army of obstacles stands between LA’s homeless students and the classroom

• Teen dies in custody as state presses LA County to shut down juvenile halls

• OC lawmakers show bipartisan support for gun safety legislation

• Southern Californians who drive the most are slowest to switch to electric vehicles

• Three years later, COVID ‘Patient Zero’ returns to LA hospital that saved his life

• 210-pound black bear who likely crossed the 101 into Malibu is now being tracked with GPS

In Depth

Lawsuit

Ex-teacher’s lawsuit alleges her firing for ‘Christian beliefs’

A former physical education teacher contends she was fired for refusing to follow school policies recognizing students’ transgender identities. Jessica Tapia sued the Jurupa Unified School District, alleging the violation of her First Amendment and civil rights. Tapia did nothing wrong and “was dismissed for her Christian beliefs,” attorney Mariah Gondeiro said. A Jurupa schools spokesperson said the district is committed to a “discrimination- and harassment-free learning environment and respects the religious beliefs of its students and staff.” Read more

Law Enforcement

Family of slain police officer sues LA County DA George Gascón

The wrongful death lawsuit by the family of slain El Monte police Officer Joseph Santana claims L.A. County District Attorney George Gascón’s disregard for California’s “three-strikes” law enabled a convicted felon to kill Santana and another officer in 2022. Read more

Homelessness

An army of obstacles stands between LA’s homeless students and the classroom

In LAUSD, 55% of homeless students are chronically absent, fueling learning loss for these kids who need more help. Read more

Health Care

Long waits and hallway beds, as crowded ERs struggle to meet patient demand

Several hospitals in the greater Los Angeles region are grappling with packed emergency rooms due to a perfect storm of post-pandemic conditions. This includes an influx of patients who delayed care during the pandemic, uninsured individuals utilizing the ER to access medical care, nursing shortages and a shortage of beds in outpatient facilities. ER hospital beds overflow into hallways, patients get treatment in the elevator lobby, portions of the waiting room and even an outdoor tent. Many of the overflow spaces were pandemic-era emergency measures, but while COVID has subsided these spaces remain in use. Read more

Criminal Justice

Teen dies in custody as state presses LA County to shut down juvenile halls

On the same day that a teenager died of a suspected overdose at Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar, a judge moved closer to setting a deadline for L.A. County officials to comply with state demands for reforms at its two juvenile halls or risk shutting them down. Read more

Meanwhile, the county prepares to reopen a closed juvenile hall to handle transfers. Read more

Politics

OC lawmakers show bipartisan support for gun safety legislation

In a rare display of bipartisanship on an issue that can be contentiously split down party lines, two OC representatives have teamed up on a gun safety bill. The lawmakers’ idea is to provide tax credits for certain retailers that incentive the sale of safe storage devices for firearms. Read more

Environment

Southern Californians who drive the most are slowest to switch to electric vehicles

Activists hope a new searchable online tool will spur additional EV incentives for gasoline “superusers” and a new way to track progress in reducing emissions. Read more

Pandemic

Three years later, COVID ‘Patient Zero’ returns to LA hospital that saved his life

Gregg Garfield was one of the first COVID patients in America and the very first in L.A. County. On May 8, 2020, after 64 days at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, Garfield did what doctors had thought impossible: He walked out of the front door. Three years later, he reunited with staff as a completely healthy man. “We lost patients, all of us did, so to see somebody that was that sick, that didn’t die, and walked out of the hospital, that was a great lift up for all of us,” said Dr. Daniel Dea, a critical care pulmonologist who served as the quarterback for Garfield’s treatment in the ICU. Read more

Wildlife

210-pound black bear who likely crossed the 101 into Malibu now being tracked with GPS

A male black bear spotted last month in the western Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area near Malibu became the first bear in these parts to be captured by officials and fitted with a radio collar, which is being used to track its movements. Biologists say the bear is likely the only one roaming this part of the mountains south of the 101 Freeway. “Yeah, this is definitely rare,” a wildlife biologist said. Read more